Venice senior pitcher Brandon Elmy fires a pitch early in Wednesday night's state semifinal at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. Elmy allowed three runs in taking the loss.

PHOTO BY MARC BEAUDIN

Venice senior catcher Mike Rivera hustles to first base after making contact with a pitch in the first inning, but was thrown out on the back end of a double play. It was the first of three double plays that Venice hit into on the night.

Mike Rivera is consoled by a member of the Venice coaching staff in the moments after Wednesday's 3-0 loss to Winter Haven in the Class 6A State semifinal. The loss meant it would be the final game in an Indians' uniform for Rivera, a key member of the 2012 and 2013 state title teams, and several other seniors. Rivera has committed to play at the University of Florida this fall.

By SCOTT LOCKWOOD

Sports Editor

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During the middle portions of Venice’s baseball season this year, a single mistake or a big inning would ultimately would send the Indians to a loss.

Unfortunately for Venice, the big inning curse and tough pitching from Winter Haven’s Trent Gantt ended the Indians’ run for a third straight state title with a 3-0 loss to the Blue Devils in the FHSAA Class 6A semifinals Wednesday night at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers.

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